Abstract [en]

Background: At Astrid Lindgren Children´s Hospital, there is a lack of specialized nurses in the inpatient wards. This could pose a risk to patient safety. Studies show that there is a need for more preventative measures, to improve the quality of care for hospitalized pediatric patients. Objective: To investigate the strategies, used by nurses in the assessment and care of pediatric patients. Method: A descriptive, qualitative study with semistructured interviews. Eight nurses from three inpatient wards were interviewed. Qualitative, manifest content analysis were used. Results: The results are presented in two main categories Internal Strategies and ExternalStrategies. The informants felt that their basic education had given them insufficient knowledge and training in pediatric care. They used subjective, internal strategies when assessing and providing care. External strategies, such as turning to colleagues, doctors and the children´s parents for advice were used when the internal strategies were insufficient. Seeking help and support from the Intensive Care Unit was something the informants rarely or never considered. Conclusion: Non-specialized nurses frequently meet with difficulties in managing their commitments. Our conclusion is that there is room for improvement in internal and external strategies and the need for an increased support from the Intensive Care Unit.